Abstract: A calendared event may be visually indicated. A proposed time for the calendared event can be identified and each of a plurality of event participants can be associated with the calendared event. For each of the participants, a local time of the participant that corresponds to the proposed time for the calendared event can be identified and displayed.

Abstract: A method for providing information to generate distinguishing voices for text content attributable to different authors includes receiving a plurality of text sections each attributable to one of a plurality of authors; identifying which author authored each text section; assigning a unique voice tag id to each author; associating a distinct set of descriptive metadata with each unique voice tag id; and generating a set of speech information for each text section. The set of speech information generated for each text section is based upon the distinct set of descriptive metadata associated with the unique voice tag id assigned to the corresponding author of the text section. The set of speech information generated for each text section is configured to be used by a speech synthesizer to translate the text section into speech in a distinguishing computer-generated voice for the author of the text section.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user in handling cascading event conflicts arising in a schedule provided by an electronic scheduling application includes receiving an indication of a first proposed event update to the schedule; determining whether the first proposed event update conflicts with any previously scheduled event; entering the first proposed event update into the schedule if the first proposed event update does not conflict; determining whether to select the first proposed event update or a first previously scheduled event for attempting to reschedule if the first proposed event update conflicts with the first previously scheduled event; determining whether to accept a second proposed event update for rescheduling of the selected one of the first proposed event update and the first previously stored event; and determining whether the second proposed event update conflicts with any previously scheduled event if the second proposed event update is accepted.

Abstract: In response to a first user becoming active on a communication device, a first availability status can be automatically established as a current availability of the first user. A first time period can be automatically identified. During the first time period, the first availability status can be maintained as the current availability of the first user to at least a second user. In response to the first time period elapsing, a second availability status can be automatically established as the current availability of the first user to the second user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to referencing organizational roles in a collaborative computing environment and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for referencing relative role suffixes in a collaborative computing environment. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for referencing relative role suffixes in a collaborative computing environment can include receiving as input to a collaborative tool in the collaborative computing environment, a relative reference to a member of the collaborative computing environment and decomposing the relative reference into a prefix and a suffix. The method further can include determining a member specified by the prefix and a role specified by the suffix and transforming the role to a member of the collaborative computing environment relative to the member specified by the prefix. Finally, the method can include returning the transformed member to the collaborative tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides various simple and easy ways for each end user to manage the thread in a way that suits them. In some cases, the user experience requires only a single click. Additional embodiments allow user to manage inbox space, recover suppressed threads, be alerted on contextual changes of such threads, and so forth. The system allows the user to specifically configure his/her own email thread management scheme by selecting an email and choosing “Suppress Thread” on his/her user interface. The system then performs a number of steps such as examining the <message-id> and <references> headers of the selected email to configure the suppress filter. Once configured, the system will examine each email as it is received and examine its <message-id> and <references> headers per RFC 822. If the headers match the configured <messageid> and <responses> headers, the emails will be suppressed in the manner chosen by the user such as deletion or move to folder.

Abstract: A data retrieval system provides automatic retrieval of information based on a context-traversal history. A transferable object is identified in a first context while the user is operating in the first context. Information used to retrieve the transferable object is automatically stored without user interaction. The automatically stored information is used to copy the transferable object to an object receptor in a second context while the user operates in the second context. A marker stored in the memory signifies an end of a first historical period associated with the first context and a start of a second historical period associated with the second context, associates the transferable object identified in the first context with the first historical period, and separates the information automatically stored in the memory in the first historical period from information automatically stored in the memory in the second historical period.

Abstract: A data retrieval system and method provide automatic retrieval of information based on a context-traversal history. A transferable object is identified in a first context while the user is operating in the first context. Information used to retrieve the transferable object is automatically stored without user involvement. The automatically stored information is used to copy the transferable object to an object receptor in a second context while the user operates in the second context.

Abstract: A system are provided for enabling a user to search for documents that the user has previously viewed on its local machine. The system includes three main components: the desktop integration module, the index module, and the graphical user interface module. The desktop integration module is an application which monitors documents with which the user interacts for predetermined events, and obtains content data and metadata from the monitored documents. The index module indexes the content data and metadata received from the desktop integration module. The graphical user interface module then permits a user to utilize the desktop integration module and index module by allowing a user to search for a document.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a user to search for documents that the user has previously viewed on its local machine. The system includes three main components: the desktop integration module, the index module, and the graphical user interface module. The desktop integration module is an application which monitors documents with which the user interacts for predetermined events, and obtains content data and metadata from the monitored documents. The index module indexes the content data and metadata received from the desktop integration module. The graphical user interface module then permits a user to utilize the desktop integration module and index module by allowing a user to search for a document.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to deadline management and real-time monitoring of task and event progress and provide a method, system and computer program product for providing peripheral deadline indicators for tasks and events. In one embodiment of the invention, a peripheral deadline indication system can include an operating system (O/S) user interface (UI) and multiple peripheral deadline indicators embedded into a control of the O/S UI. Each of the indicators can correspond to a different state for an impending, near term deadline and can include program code enabled to display an alert of deadline information for a corresponding impending, near term deadline in response to detecting a proximity event. The program code further can be enabled to display a deadline control pop-up of deadline information and deadline commands for a corresponding deadline in response to detecting a selection event.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for managing a multiple document interface (MDI) environment. Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention allows a user, administrator, etc., to create a customized user interface for the user. This interface may include a specification of a location of a particular control, such as a tab, for selecting a window in the MDI. The specification may include a particular control location, such as the right edge of the window; a control location relative to another control; and/or a control location relative to a portion of the window, such as second control from the left side of the window. The interface may also include a customized size for the control.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and provide a method, system and computer program product for. In one embodiment of the invention, a chat session suspension and resumption management method can include establishing a chat session among at least two conversants, receiving a request by one of the conversants to suspend the established chat session for a specified duration of time, and suspending the chat session for the specified duration of time and automatically resuming the chat session subsequent to the specified duration of time without further instruction by the conversants. The method further can include determining whether the request to suspend the established chat session for the specified duration of time permits negotiation of the specified duration of time, and exchanging negotiated durations of time between the conversants until arriving at an agreed upon duration only if permitted by the request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for role-based chats. In one embodiment of the invention, a role based chat method can be provided. The method can include dynamically specifying a role in a chat request, resolving an assignment of the role to a collaborator in a data store of roles, and initiating a chat with the collaborator. In one aspect of the embodiment, resolving an assignment of the role to a collaborator can include dynamically retrieving a pre-determined assignment of the collaborator to the role. However, in another aspect of the embodiment, resolving an assignment of the role to a collaborator can include dynamically retrieving a pre-determined assignment of a group of collaborators to the role, and applying a routing or a scheduling rule to the group to select a particular one of the collaborators for assignment to the role.

Abstract: A workflow automating system provides a solution to allow users to create a workflow process from work they have done or work they plan to do and integrate it into their work environment. The system of the present invention allows a user to automatically record the steps of a process, as the user performs the steps, so that these recorded steps may be used some time later as a workflow. Once saved, these steps may be removed or modified by, such as, assigning the responsibility for performing the step to another party or by resequencing the step to another stage of the workflow, or additional steps may be added to the workflow. This can be accomplished very easily without the need to learn a tool, scripting language or how to code a workflow. Further, a history log of the user's steps in his or her ad hoc work processes is created. The user has the ability to then examine the history log and to select key steps from the history log to create a new workflow or to include in an existing workflow.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to meeting time conflict management and resolution in a C&S system and provide a method, system and computer program product for event scheduling conflict management and resolution for unprocessed events in a collaborative computing environment. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of event scheduling conflict management and resolution for unprocessed events can be provided for a collaborative computing environment. The method can include proposing a new calendar event for a specified time slot not already scheduled for a processed calendar event, identifying an unprocessed, unscheduled, proposed event conflicting with the specified time slot, and prompting for conflict resolution of the conflict.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to activity thread management and provide a method, system and computer program product for activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for activity objectifying non-activity/task objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool can be provided. The method can include selecting a non-activity/task object in an activity thread for an activity map of the activity-centric collaboration tool, and associating an activity attribute with the selected non-activity/task object. The non-activity/task object further can be decorated with a user interface control corresponding to a value for the activity attribute, and a state for the user interface control can be changed responsive to changes in the value for the activity attribute.

Abstract: A method for retaining and acting on rejected electronic meetings including accessing a calendar and scheduling application via a calendaring and scheduling system. Subsequently, reviewing an invitation to a meeting. Afterwards rejecting the invitation to the meeting. Then retaining information about the rejected meeting. Then displaying the information in all calendar views about the rejected meeting provided the user desires the information to be displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e-meeting scheduling and provide a method, system and computer program product for e-meeting preparation in a calendaring and scheduling system. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for e-meeting preparation in a calendaring and scheduling system can include establishing an e-meeting for one or more invitees. The method further can include specifying when to provide a confirmation for the e-meeting as part of a default policy in the calendaring and scheduling system. The method further can include providing a materials distribution for the e-meeting confirmation to at least one of the invitees according to the configuration specific to the e-meeting. Finally, the method can include providing an e-meeting confirmation to at least one of the invitees according to the default policy.

Abstract: A solution for providing an instant messaging (IM) space, such as for a chat session, is provided, which includes provisions for spinning off of chat threads. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of providing an IM space, the method comprising: providing a first graphical user interface (GUI) space for an IM conversation; obtaining a selected portion of the IM conversation represented on the first GUI; and creating a second GUI space for a second IM conversation based on the portion selected.